ZAGREB, Aug 5 (Hina) - Croatian President and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Stipe Mesic on Saturday forwarded a message to members of the Croatian Armed Forces offering his best wishes on the occasion of the Day of
the Croatian Armed Forces. The message read: "Soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, members of the Croatian Armed Forces, Croatian Homeland War soldiers, We congratulate you Croatian Armed Forces Day. This year, on the same day we are also marking the fifth anniversary of military-police operation "Storm" in which you liberated the last part of Croatia's occupied territory. Then, tired and exhausted, but with pride in hearts and with the flame of victory in eyes, you promised you will never allow that Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Petrinja, Gospic and other symbols of sufferings of Croatian people be repeated. We know it wasn't easy for you then, nor nine years ago
ZAGREB, Aug 5 (Hina) - Croatian President and Supreme Commander of
the Croatian Armed Forces Stipe Mesic on Saturday forwarded a
message to members of the Croatian Armed Forces offering his best
wishes on the occasion of the Day of the Croatian Armed Forces.
The message read:
"Soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, members of the
Croatian Armed Forces, Croatian Homeland War soldiers,
We congratulate you Croatian Armed Forces Day. This year, on the
same day we are also marking the fifth anniversary of military-
police operation "Storm" in which you liberated the last part of
Croatia's occupied territory.
Then, tired and exhausted, but with pride in hearts and with the
flame of victory in eyes, you promised you will never allow that
Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Petrinja, Gospic and other symbols of
sufferings of Croatian people be repeated.
We know it wasn't easy for you then, nor nine years ago when the
Croatian Armed Forces started growing out of police units. The only
thing we had was courage, loyalty to the Homeland and the
determination to defend the Croatian State, for the independence
and sovereignty of which, many have sacrificed their lives.
Today, almost ten years later, we are all facing different
temptations. Due to the aggression and poor economic situation in
the past we are facing different temptations and tasks.
The necessity of the economic development imposes the need for
activating all national resources and the adjustment to norms of
the European Union and NATO, which are our strategic goals.
The Armed Forces, as well as other parts of the society are going
though the re-organisation and adjustment in order to activate
financial and human resources for the accelerated economic
development. However, the Armed Forces also have the duty to
increase defence capability of the Homeland which is to be achieved
by a full membership in Euro-Atlantic security associations, and
the first step, the Partnership for Peace programme, has already
been made.
You are also facing a great responsibility and obligation of
professional improvement and training for the work in
international headquarters, commissions and other working bodies,
as well as for the participation in joint military manoeuvres.
According to everything you have demonstrated so far, and knowing
the boldness, determination and enthusiasm of a Croatian soldier, I
am convinced you will successfully complete all your tasks.
On this occasion, I would like to pay special tribute to all members
of the Armed Forces who have woven their lives in the history of
establishment of the sovereign and democratic State of Croatia. The
memory of their courage and patriotism must never fade.
I am sending today's message to all former members of the Armed
Forces, Croatian Homeland War soldiers and Croatian Homeland War
invalids, to whom we also owe our great gratitude. Let their
unselfish sacrifice be the encouragement to us for even greater
efforts in the establishment and development of modern Armed Forces
to the pride of all citizens of the Republic of Croatia."
(hina) it